August 29, 2014 at 4:22 AM (PT)

Writes JACOBS, "From the consumer viewpoint, one of the best things about radio is that it just works. You simply turn on a single and simple device, and your favorite stations are right there, delivering the content you want. Unfortunately, the same isn’t necessarily true when it comes to streaming. As more of us listen to streams using smartphones, tablets, and computers, the user experience becomes frustratingly inconsistent. It can be difficult to know where to find content that might live on iHEARTRADIO, TUNEIN, RADIOPUP, or a stand-alone app. And then once the content is located, the stream quality can vary widely influenced by a number of factors, many of which are out of the broadcaster’s control."

"It would certainly benefit the radio industry and help secure its future if streaming was as easy as listening to a traditional radio," continues JACOBS. "Across the Atlantic that thought process led to the development of the RADIOPLAYER app -- an online audio player that gives listeners access to live, on-demand, and podcast radio from hundreds of stations -- commercial and non-commercial -- in the UNITED KINGDOM. All in one place. But as we know from our experience in the STATES, the process of bringing different broadcasters with varying priorities together for a common goal is never easy."

"RADIOPLAYER was developed and is maintained by a not-for-profit company backed by the entire British Broadcasting industry, including the BBC. To find out more about this innovative approach to streaming and the unique cooperation that has been established between rivals, we talked to Managing Director MICHAEL HILL."